The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
BALL STATE
Ball State Completes Sweep of Blazers, 11-10
2/26/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 26, 2005
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Catcher Matt Singleton's second game-winning home run of the series capped off a Ball State comeback and led the Cardinals to an 11-10 win over UAB in game two of Saturday's doubleheader at Young Memorial Field. With the win, Ball State (4-1) completed the doubleheader and series sweep of the Blazers (4-3).
UAB opened up a 9-1 lead after two innings, but surrendered 10 runs over the next five frames to let Ball State notch the come-from-behind victory. Eight Blazers recorded at least one hit in the game as UAB set season highs with 13 hits and 10 runs. Grant Addison suffered the loss for the Blazers in his first appearance of the season, allowing four runs in 2.2 innings.
The Blazers were held scoreless by Ball State pitching over the final 6.1 innings of the game. Luke Behning picked up his first win with 3.1 innings of shutout relief, while Richie Fralick finished off UAB over the last three innings, earning his first save.
"They came up with a lot of big hits when they needed them and we weren't able to locate enough good pitches," said head coach Larry Giangrosso. "We left a lot of stuff out over the plate tonight and they made us pay."
Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the first, the Blazers came back with four runs to take the lead. Clint Toomey tripled to lead off the inning and scored on a Dan Stucky fielder's choice. Zac Ward then hit a ball deep to left-center field which bounced off the hitter's background in center field, allowing him to pull into third with a triple. Ward would score on a groundout by Nathan McCorkle, then after a walk to Cole Helms, Seth Rollin ripped his first home run of the season over the left field wall.
The Blazers exploded for an eight-run, two-out rally in the bottom of the second. Toomey started the rally with a single, moved to second on a failed pick off attempt and scored on a Stucky single. Ward then picked up his second hit of the game and McCorkle brought Stucky home with a single through the right side of the infield. Helms finally capped off the rally with his second home run of the season, a three-run shot deep over the wall in left-center field.
The Cardinals cut UAB's lead with four runs in the top of the third and two more in the top of the fourth. All six of the runs off Helms and reliever Jim Crew were unearned.
Ball State brought the go-ahead run to the plate when they loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the seventh inning. Addison allowed a double to Marc Franz leading off the inning, then retired the next two batters before hitting C.J. Webb with a pitch and walking Justin Rogers. Singleton then gave his team the lead back with a grand slam over the left center field wall. Singleton also hit what would be the game-winning home run in game one of the series on Friday night.
The Blazers return to action Tuesday when they host Florida A&M at 6 p.m. at Young Memorial Field. The teams will then meet again at 2 p.m. on Wednesday.
